I'm in the process of researching some airliner crashes, and I would like access to more detailed photos, than whats availabe on the internet and in books.

Is there an archive of unpublished crash photos open to the public? I'm specifically talking about pictures which show raw crash scenes, including the extent of passenger outcomes. Does the NTSB or FAA have a library in Washington, where these photos can be looked at?

I don't know if this helps but Fred Schieszer at University of Central Missouri (Central Missouri State University when I went there) taught a masters course in aviation accident investigation. He is still at the school and you can get his contact info off the schools web site. I just checked.

In 1997 I helped him set up a "crash site" with a crashed Beech Bonanza. It was a exact recreation of the Buddy Holly crash. He had a small barn filled with crashed airplanes and their pieces. This was the final exam for his accident investigation course. He had a full report of the crash and we set up the wreckage exactly like it was. He had info on several crashes and would change them around from time to time.

He did small aircraft crashes, but he may have info on large plane crashes too. Fred is a good guy and he has fond memories of Falstaff Beer, which is how I met the guy. I was in the automotive program just down the hall from the aviation department. He overheard my conversation about Falstaff beer and the rest is history....

There are always pictures of every fatal crash that are not made public. Investigators take lots of pictures of each body before removing them from the crash scene. Sometimes websites (like ogrish) manage to get a hold of these pics but I am not sure how or why. I fear that people go on there to see grisly pictures for enjoyment and entertainment, which is why I believe we are better off for not seeing them.